Messenger | November 15, 2023

This week's release at a glance:

• Pastor’s Message
• Join Us on Saturday for Our Holiday Bazaar
• Preparing for Advent
• Holiday Greens Workshop
• Give the Gift of Giving this Christmas
• Gloria Deo! A Very Cello Christmas Concert
• Recognizing Our Woods Rehab Volunteers
  

Pastor's Message

Dear Friends and Family of Woods Church,

As Woods Church looks forward to the opening of the Holiday Christmas Bazaar this Saturday, Zimmerman Hall is filling up with “white elephant” donations while Fellowship Hall and other sections of the church are dressing for the occasion. I have to admit this is one of my favorite times of the year. The rooms are filled with anticipation about “who, what, and why” will be coming.

For me, the white elephants are so compelling—so much so that I almost hear the voices of the donations themselves when I go into Zimmerman. There are donated items that have had meaningful, practical purposes and are still useful. There are sentimental pieces—jewelry, quilts and children’s toys—whose owners have moved on or outgrown them. A jigsaw puzzle still giggles over the delight of a six-year old in completing the train picture. A cutting board recalls the joy of a grandmother endlessly preparing meals for her family, while a rhinestone broach remembers evenings worn upon formal gowns.

“Voices” are sometimes audible when life’s legacies are made available and passed on to others in Zimmerman. Legacy is a biblical treasure remembered by God’s people whether it be in the commemorative stones at the Jordan River in Israel (Joshua 4; 21–22) or Jesus’ own words at the time of the Last Supper breaking bread with his disciples for us: “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me” (Luke 22: 19).

Woods’ church family not only celebrates legacies at the Bazaar. We invite the community to share and join us in the legacies of Advent and Christmas and in remembering our pasts…from whence we come, whose we are and where we are going.

In peace,

Pastor Nancy

Church News

Join Us on Saturday for Our Holiday Bazaar

We are excited to have you join us this Saturday, November 18, 9AM–1PM. Mark your calendars and bring your children, your neighbors, and yourself for a day of shopping and socializing. All proceeds from the Bazaar go to help and support our Mission partners.

We are still collecting items for the White Elephant Station, Jewelry, Books, and Christmas and Holiday items. Drop off times are Wednesday–Friday, November 15–17, 9AM–5PM. Books should be delivered to Room 155 and should be stacked against the wall. Only small furniture items that can be carried by individuals can be accepted. No donations will be accepted after November 17.



PNC Update for November

The Pastor Nominating Committee (PNC) has conducted many screening interviews, and that process has yielded several candidates whose gifts would be assets to Woods Church. We are continuing to evaluate candidates and are working towards a goal of narrowing the pool in order to proceed to our next step of in-person interviews with a select group of pastors.

Please continue to keep the PNC in your prayers as we work diligently on the important process of selecting a Head of Staff candidate to present to the congregation for its approval.

Support Our Flower Ministry

The Flower Ministry (a group within our Worship Ministry) supports our worship services with the beautiful arrangements in our Sanctuary and around our church every Sunday. The Flower Ministry also provides arrangements for our deacons to offer support to those who are going through a difficult time, as well as to celebrate milestone birthdays for our members.

Consider supporting this important ministry. Click here to make a contribution.

We’re Looking for a Kitchen Coordinator

Woods Church is seeking a kitchen coordinator who will assist with food ordering, preparation, and serving meals for the Child Development Center and church events. This is an hourly, full-time position and the person is eligible for Woods health insurance coverage.

To apply, submit information to John McLaughlin, director of operations, by emailing jmclaughlin@woodschurch.org.

Youth & Children's Ministries

Preparing for Advent

Parents, caregivers, and trusted adults, who doesn’t count the days until Christmas? This Advent, we have several ways to help you and your family count down the days until we celebrate “Emmanuel,” God with Us.

Family Advent Pizza Party | Join us on Wednesday, November 29, for a pizza party as we prepare for the season. Make ornaments, tackle the Bethlehem escape room, walk the Christmas Labyrinth, and pick up your family Advent Spiral Calendar while supplies last. Spirals can be decorated however you wish. There also is a pewter figure to represent Mary/Joseph/our walk toward the celebration of Jesus’ birth. Of course, on December 25, you add the baby Jesus in a manger! Register online.

First Sunday of Advent | Pick up or download the Reflective Advent Devotional. It has a short and child-friendly home wreath lighting ceremony, a weekly reflection with a question to consider, and a path for stars. It starts on Sunday, December 3.

Christmas Pageant Practice | Our annual Christmas Pageant is is a great way to “put on” and “enter into” the story of Jesus’ birth. It is a wonderful family experience! We’ve got shepherd and angel costumes in all sizes!

• Adults will practice on Monday, December 18, 4–5:30PM.
• There will be a dress rehearsal for all participants on Tuesday, December 19, 4–5:30PM.
• The Christmas Pageant will be on Sunday, December 24, 3PM & 4 PM.

And join us to celebrate Jesus’ birth at our Christmas Eve services on Sunday, December 24.

• Contemporary Service, 6PM
• Choir and Instruments, 8PM
• Instruments, Soloists, and Communion, 10PM

Continue the Conversation at Home

Let's Continue the Conversation at Home about prayer. Cynthia Rylant has a daybook of prayers for children, titled Give Me Grace. It gives us simple words to include talking with God in each day of the week. I wonder how you include talking to God in your days? Come to church on Sunday, and we will pray together for each other and for the world.

Education & Small Groups

Savvy Seniors

Join us on Tuesday, November 21, 1 PM, for the next Savvy Seniors forum, Resources Available Right Now. You may be surprised to learn about the many services for seniors provided by:

• The A.A. Department of Aging and Disabilities
• The A.A. County Library
• Woods V.O.W.S. (Venturing on with Service) Christ Care Group

We will meet in Fellowship Hall. Refreshments provided.

New Adult Ed Class for Advent

Adult Education is offering an Advent study, The Wonder of Christmas: Once You Believe, anything is Possible, by Ed Robb & Rob Renfroe. The class will meet on Sundays, November 26–December 17, 11AM, in the office conference room and on Zoom. Rediscover the true wonder of Christmas by sharing the love of Christ with others. The book, videos, and Bible study center on key elements of the Christmas story. The course also looks at the stories of real people today to offer inspiration and ideas for reflecting the light of Jesus at Christmas and throughout the year. Books are on the office credenza.

Missions News

Holiday Greens Workshop

The Woods’ flower committee will be holding a holiday greens workshop on Thursday, November 16, 5:30–7:30PM, in Room 208.. Prepare holiday table designs for you—and to sell at the bazaar. Seats are limited to 24 people with a fee of $25 per person. Materials will be supplied, but be sure to bring a garden cutter (clippers) and any special evergreens you want in your design. Register online

Give the Gift of Giving this Christmas

Share the love of Christ, and buy Christmas gifts that will change the lives of people who are in the heart of God, while warming the hearts of those on your gift list. From Sunday, November 19–December 10, join us in Fellowship Hall for a Season of Giving at Woods for you and your family. For every gift given, we will place one ornament on our very own Christmas Tree. Let’s see how beautiful Woods’s generosity can be!

Ways to give Sponsor a child for Christmas OR gift a laundry basket to Pinewood Village:

Sponsor Local Children From SPAN

Buy toys, clothing, or a gift card for local children referred to us by SPAN (Serving People Across Neighborhoods). This year, we hope to assist 35 children from 1–18 years old have a few gifts to open Christmas morning this year. Items are due back no later than Sunday, December 10, 12PM.

Elderly and Disabled From Pinewood Village

Provide a laundry basket for elderly or disabled adults in a low-income neighborhood in Glen Burnie. While there are many programs that support their rent and utilities, during the Christmas Season, we feel called to provide these 64 residents with the basic necessities. Baskets are due back on Sunday, December 10, 12PM, and will be delivered on Saturday, December 16.

Place Your Holiday Nut Order

Fall has arrived and it’s time to place your holiday nut orders. Don’t miss out on trying this year’s new nut, Pumpkin Spice Pecans or any of your favorites. Just download the order form or pick one up at the welcome desk and return it to Woods Church by mail or bring it by the office with your check made out to Woods Church and “nut order” on the memo line. The pick up schedule for the nuts is listed on the order form.

Save the Date for Winter Relief

Winter Relief is coming January 22 – 29, 2024. Sign-ups begin December 17, 9AM. At that time, you will be able to sign up to help after each service in Fellowship Hall or on the Church website. There are opportunities for meal prep, brown bag lunch prep, evening and overnight chaperones, drivers, shower escorts, Stephens Ministers, laundry support, youth volunteers, and snack donations.

Please help us help the homeless. If you want more information about Winter Relief and how you can help, please contact Scott Wiley at 410.353.1491 or email wilecoy2us@gmail.com.

Music News

Gloria Deo! A Very Cello Christmas Concert

Come join us on Saturday, December 2, 7PM, as we celebrate the start of the Christmas season! This special program will feature a professional cello octet and a small orchestra from the D.C./Baltimore area. In addition, we’ll have our Adult Choir, Praise Team, Seek Singers, Children’s Choir and our incredible dancers with choreography by Elysia Merrill. It’s a perfect way to begin your Christmas!

This concert is free but a ticket is required at www.woodstix.org. For more information, please email David Merrill at dmerrill@woodschurch.org.

Church Family News

Recognizing Our Woods Rehab Volunteers

During worship this past Sunday, we celebrated the 30-year legacy of our Woods Rehab volunteers. Thank you to the many men and women who have given their time and skills to keep our church grounds looking their best.

Prayers for the Family of Aubrey Jones

It is with sadness that we inform you of the death of Woods member, Aubrey Jones. Aubrey was a member of Woods Church since 1983.



A private family committal service will be held later this month. Please keep Aubrey's wife Annie and daughter Courtney Szymanski, and all family and friends in your prayers.

Congregational Prayer

Loving God, open the eyes of our hearts by the power of your Spirit, that we may know the hope and share the gospel to which we have been called in Jesus Christ. And may your peace guide all nations here on earth now and always.



Amen.